Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (2024)

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Butternut Squash Bisque is a rich, but healthy vegetarian fall soup that is sweet and creamy with just a touch of heat.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (1)

Butternut Squash Bisque

This butternut squash bisque is the perfect way to start fall. Even better than a PSL. There. I said it.

It's just a touch sweet from the ripe roasted butternut squash and apple. Plus, it has a little spicy kick from the jalapeno. The ingredients are simple, fresh, and healthy, but so flavorful and delicious.

It's smooth, creamy, sweet, and spicy. Hits all of the aspects that makes any dish amazing. It's so rich, that you would never guess it has only 175 for a bowl!

(For vegan and dairy free options, check the recipe notes!)

How to Pick a Good Butternut Squash

A too-ripe butternut squash can be mushy and tasteless, while an under-ripe butternut squash may not have developed its signature sweetness and taste yet. Picking a "just right" squash is important.

The best time of year to buy locally in the U.S. is September and October. It is still available throughout the year as an import.

Look for these four things when picking a butternut squash:

  1. Solid beige color. The color should be solid and matte without any deep cuts or bruises.
  2. Heavy. The squash should feel heavy for its size. Compare it to other squash if you're unsure.
  3. Give it a knock. A ripe butternut squash will sound hollow, like a carving pumpkin.
  4. Full stem. It should have a full, firm stem. When the stem is intact, it will keep for longer.

After you've picked the perfect butternut squash, store it in a cool dark part of the kitchen for up to several weeks. It does not need to be refrigerated.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (2)

How to Roast Butternut Squash

Roasting the butternut squash might be an extra step, but it's totally worth it in my opinion because peeling and chopping it is a real pain.

Plus, while it's roasting you can prep the rest of the veggies.

To roast butternut squash, preheat your oven to 375°F, and line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking mat.

Make sure you have a clean squash. Just rinse with cold water.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (3)

Cut the butternut squash in half length-wise, and scoop out seeds with a spoon.

Place squash on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Bake in 375° oven for about 45 minutes, until tender. Scooping it out should be easy. Test by poking with a fork to check for tenderness.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (4)

Allow squash to cool before removing the flesh from the skin, and setting aside to use in the recipe (you can throw away the skins).

More Fall Vegetarian Recipes You'll Love

  • Spicy Southwest Pumpkin Soup - spicy, healthy, and SUPER easy savory pumpkin recipe.
  • Homemade Vegetable Soup - one of my cold weather favorites!
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes - my grandma's amazing recipe that I can never get enough of!
  • Black Bean Enchiladas - a vegetarian twist on a favorite. Even my carnivore hubby LOVES these!
  • Southwest Bean Chowder - super simple and delicious vegetarian soup that gets its creaminess from pureed beans.

Butternut Squash Bisque Video

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (5)

Butternut Squash Bisque

Butternut Squash Bisque is a rich, but healthy vegetarian fall soup that is sweet and creamy with just a touch of heat.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Butternut Bisque, Butternut Squash Bisque, Butternut Squash Soup

Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 173kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 large carrot chopped
  • 1 celery stalk chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 large sweet apple peeled, cored and cubed
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare butternut squash: Cut rinsed squash in half length-wise. Scoop out seeds, and place on a lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in a 375°F for about 45 min until tender. Allow to cool. Scoop out flesh and set aside for the recipe.

  • In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat.

  • Add onion, celery, carrot, jalapeno, and garlic. Saute, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

  • Add apple, squash, broth, and ground ginger. Stir to combine.

  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes, until apples are tender. Remove from heat.

  • Blend soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Be careful of splatter!

  • Stir in cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook a few more minutes to increase the temperature, if necesary. But do NOT bring to a boil (your cream will curdle!).

Notes

  • Have fun with toppings! Top your soup with pepitas, roasted sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, or croutons for a little crunch.
  • Add cheese! Cheese makes everything just a little better. Try adding smoked Gouda, Parmesan, or sharp cheddar when adding the cream.
  • Butternut Squash Bisque is naturally vegetarian and gluten free. To make dairy free, substitute the heavy cream for coconut cream or a different milk substitute, such as almond or cashew milk.
  • To make vegan: Use vegetable broth, substitute heavy cream for canned coconut cream, and use coconut oil instead of butter.
  • Consider adding ½ to 1 teaspoon turmeric or curry powder for extra flavor or health benefits. Add it in step 4 with the ground ginger.
  • How to Use Fresh Butternut Squash: Remove skin and seeds from squash, and cube. Add squash to the pot when adding the apples. Boil until tender before continuing to the next step.
  • An immersion blender is the easiest way to puree this soup. This is my favorite immersion blender.
  • Do not boil after cream is added. Boiling cream will make it curdle and separate. Not pretty.
  • Use disposable gloves (like these) while preparing jalapenos. Oils from the peppers can burn your skin. Unfortunately, I found this out the hard way and it is NOT pleasant!
  • To freeze: Prepare soup according to instructions, stopping before adding the cream. Place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight (I place in a bowl to do this to prevent leakage). Reheat. Then stir in cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 11667IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in October 2014. It has been republished in September 2019 with new pictures, new video, and more detailed directions and cooking tips.

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Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between soup and bisque? ›

Key Differences

Ingredients: Bisque is often made with seafood and enriched with heavy cream, whereas soup can be made with a wide range of ingredients, offering more versatility. Consistency: Bisque is consistently smooth and velvety, while soup can have a diverse range of consistencies, depending on the recipe.

How do you make butternut squash soup less bland? ›

How do you make butternut squash soup less bland? The key is to season it correctly. I use ground sage and nutmeg which both enhance the flavors of butternut squash and bring out its natural sweetness. Stir in full-fat coconut milk to make this soup extra-creamy, and don't forget the salt and pepper!

Can you use butternut squash skin in soup? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

What goes well with butternut squash soup? ›

What to Serve with Butternut Squash Soup. Enjoy this soup as a starter, side, or main dish. When I'm making it the center of a meal, I serve it with good crusty bread, homemade focaccia, avocado toast, or corn muffins and a simple veggie side or fall salad.

What is the main liquid ingredient of a bisque? ›

The dish is made with the cooking liquid from the mussels, but the shells are discarded, and only mussel meat is used. A copious amount of wine, a whole bottle, is used for making the soup, while large amounts of half-and-half and cream thicken the soup at the end.

What is the thickening agent in bisque? ›

Authentic recipes for bisque actually ground the shells of the crustacean into a fine paste, using that to thicken the soup. Nowadays, it is more common to use rice as a thickener.

Is butternut squash soup a laxative? ›

Butternut can work as a laxative. In some people butternut can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.

Why does my butternut soup taste sour? ›

What happened? It's no coincidence that the butternut squash soup had fermented, alcoholic notes. Indeed, fermented rice turns out to be the culprit here. Rice is high in starch, which is relatively easy to ferment.

Why is my butternut squash soup gritty? ›

The flesh of the squash is soft and tender—perfect for a smooth pureed soup. Why is my butternut squash soup gritty? Under-cooked squash will make this soup more gritty than smooth. Make sure all of your vegetables (and fruits) are very tender before blending and you'll have effortlessly creamy soup every time.

How does Jamie Oliver cook butternut squash? ›

Method. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Wash and dry the whole squash, then place on a baking tray. Pierce once or twice with the tip of a sharp knife, then bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until golden and very soft.

Is butternut squash soup healthy? ›

One cup is loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Potassium! Butternut Squash is filled with antioxidants which include vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. It's shown that antioxidants can help to prevent and slow down inflammation which may lead to a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What does butternut squash do for the gut? ›

Butternut squash contains considerable amounts of fiber, which can help you keep a healthy weight and regulate bowel movements. It's known to help prevent colorectal cancer while the beta-carotene in butternut squash can also improve eye health.

How long until butternut squash soup goes bad? ›

How long can you keep butternut squash soup? This Butternut Squash Soup will last about 4-5 days in the refrigerator. As always, use common sense and if it doesn't smell right, then throw it out.

What makes a soup a bisque? ›

A traditional French chef would define a bisque as being a thick, creamy soup made with shellfish and thickened by a paste made from their shells. Julia Child was one chef to popularize lobster bisque in the United States; her recipe uses both the shells of the lobster and rice to thicken the bisque.

Is tomato bisque just tomato soup? ›

Tomato soup is usually made with either vegetable or chicken stock. Tomato bisque is made by adding cream or whole milk. The dairy is what makes it thicker and creamier, which gives it the defining traits of a bisque.

Is bisque a clear or thick soup? ›

Bisque is a lightly thickened soup usually made from a shellfish base.

Does a bisque have milk or cream? ›

A bisque is a smooth, creamy French style of soup, traditionally made from crustaceans like lobster, crab or crayfish. It should include a stock made from the shells, a large amount of cream, and a thickening agent made from either finely-ground shells or rice. The meat is typically cooked and used as a topping.

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